Lesson

Our Relief Society lesson today was about patience. I have much to learn concidering this topic, but today my thoughts are these... My gram has a saying that she wants me to cut in vinyl for her wall it goes "Happiness is a journey, not a destination". I'd like to replace happiness for a minute with patience. No one is perfectly patient, but we can all strive to be better each day. I think as we do and as we practice being patient we will learn many things along our journey. Many of which may be more important than the actual thing we thought we were waiting for. I have many examples of patience in my life and I appreciate them all. Today I am especially grateful for my uncle John and aunt Edie Esplin. John has been very sick this last year, endured chemo and was physically knocked down over and over again. He underwent a bone marrow transplant last Friday and will be in the hospital for a while now. I've watched them both be strong examples of enduring and patience and many other things I hope to develop someday, and I pray that he will recover and know good health again.

Sticks

One afternoon I went outside to check on Logan and Sydni in the back yard. This is what I found

We have a big tree back there, and each time that the wind blows we loose many branches from it. She had taken those branches and put them through all of her belt loops as weapons. What a cute worrier princess she is! She was obviously very proud of herself :)

Arrow of Light

Carsen received his arrow of light at last month's pack meeting. Our ward has a fun tradition of painting the face of the scout as the scout master talks about the significance of the colors. Carsen has always loved being the center of attention so he was very excited. This night was also fun because the 11 year old scouts get to welcome the newest member of their troop. Kobe was still 11 at the time and was able to present Carsen with his new neckerchief and slide. Congrats Carsen!!

Birthdays

May is a month of birthdays at our house beginning with Ron's on the 2nd. It was a Sunday, Stake conference. He is now one year older and hopefully wiser thanks to all the school he's been attending. These pics are of him trying to teach Carsen to use the lighter, and singing to himself with us the Happy Birthday song. This year brought another season of Rowland Hall basketball, working towards his masters in Education at the University of Phoenix, working at the Utah State Tax Commission, coaching the kids in various sports, getting contacts, a few more gray hairs, and being a great dad and husband. I love ya honey!!

Go to sleep!

Bed time at our house is a ritual. Lately our ritual has been pushed back and cut short because of crazy nights full of homework, baseball, soccer, scouts, dinner and well everything. Last night I tucked Syndi in, turned on her music, turned off the light and kissed her. She then said "Mom, could you do one last chore for me?" I laughed, then asked her what that might be... "a drink please" so I got a drink for her, then sat at the end of her bed for a few minutes as per her ritual. Then told her goodnight and kissed her again, and headed to my bedroom. I hear her again "Mom can you do one last chore for me?" this time Ron laughed really hard! I said "only if that chore is to go to sleep in my bed!" so she said "okay Mom can you please go to sleep in your bed" oh how I'd love to hear those words more often! Love you Syd!

National Anthem

Kobe came home from school last week and said that his school was looking for someone to sing the National Anthem at their "olympics" He wanted me to volunteer... I said I'll do it if you'll sing it with me :) and he agreed. So this morning at Layton High, in front of all of his classmates friends, and parents (about 200 people) over the whole stadium WE sang! He was awesome!! Sang out loud and strong and didn't even hesitate. Of course I started out too high and couldn't reach some of the high parts but he carried us through. Above is a "video" don't watch, just listen. This was the easiest way I could think of to record us. I love that Kobe loves to sing and is learning to share that love with others.